Protection means for pressurized dispensers



May 19, 1964 R. A. sLlwlNsKl 3,133,680

PROTECTION MEANS FOR PREssURIzED DIsPENsERs Filed Feb. 27, 1961 I Amun A7TORNEY$ United States Patent O Mce 3,133,680 PROTECTIDN MEANS FORPRESSURIZED DISlENSERS Robert A. Sliwinslri, 4451 182ml St., CountryClub Hills, Ill. Filed Feb. 27, 1961, Ser. No. 91,922 2 Claims. (Cl.222-394) This invention is directed to a structure for preventing normaloperation of the elements of a pressurized dispenser, thereby to preventpremature discharge of the contents.

In the last two decades the use of pressurized dispensers has increasedenormously. Such dispensers frequently include a container for storingtwo iluids, one a concentrate and the other a propellant. The contentsbuild up a pressure within the dispenser suicient to force a portion ofthe contents out as a suitable discharge channel is provided. A valvearrangement is provided for the dispenser, including an actuator'accessible to the user. The actuator is operable to complete a dischargechannel between the interior of the dispenser and the atmosphere, thusventing a portion of the dispensers contents to the atmosphere. Thepropellant vaporizes almost instantly as it leaves the dischargechannel, and only the concentrate remains in the discharge stream.

One well-known type of pressurized dispenser is colloquially identifiedas an aeroso can. Aerosol dispensers have been filled with manyproducts, from perfumes to paints, for subsequent discharge as used bythe purchaser. When a product such as paint is placed in an aerosolcontainer for subsequent sale, it is highly desirable, if not absolutelynecessary, to protect the can and its contents from premature dischargeby persons sampling the merchandise. The proclivity of small children totest such packages by spraying the paint on the adjacent merchandise iswell known. When paint is sprayed on the labels of adjacent cans, theinformation regarding the cans contents cannot be read, thus renderingsuch cans unsaleable. Accordingly it is necessary to prevent or at leastdelay the operation of an ordinary aerosol can to provide protection notonly for the contents of the can before sale, but of the adjacentmerchandise.

Several attempts have been made to prevent premature discharge of thecontents of the areosol can but such attempts have generally provedunsatisfactory, both from a standpoint of undue expense, and becausesuch elorts have endeavored only to deny access to the actuator. Morespecifically, a strip of special tape has been ai'lixed to the dispenserwhere the top abuts the can body, thus to secure the top to the bodywhile the can remains on the store shelf. A second approach utilizesslots or keyways formed in the removable top of the dispenser, throughwhich a key or similar implement must be inserted to displace a lockingunit and permit removal of the top from the body of the dispenser. Stilla third method utilizes a plastic, dome-shaped protection unit which ispositioned to cover the actuator and deny access thereto. Not only isthe fabrication of such domeshaped unit expensive, but it requiresprecise gripping and insertion with equal forces around the periphery ofthe base to avoid breaking the unit as it is inserted. Sudh devices onlyserve to pinpoint the line of defense for anyone who intends to removethe top and displace the actuator to sample the contents of the can.Once the access-prevention unit has been removed, the can actuator maybe freely displaced to discharge the contents.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide asimple and inexpensive protection unit for a pressurized dispenser.

Patented May 19, 1964 A more specific object of the invention is theprovision of means for preventing displacement of the actuator after thetop of an aerosol can is removed, rather than attempting to deny accessto the actuator.

Still another object of the invention is the incorporation of the novelprotective unit as a portion of a decorative member of the can assembly,with the protective portion thereof being removable to permitmanipulation of the actuator.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention are achieved in apreferred embodiment of the invention by the provision of spacer meanswhich occupies at least a portion of the clearance space between theactuator and the top of the dispenser. Normally a stem element eX- tendsthrough the clearance space to support the actuator, which can either bepushed downwardly toward the dispenser, or displaced transverselythrough an arcuate path, to actuate a valve and complete the dischargechannel for the propellant and the concentrate. By blocking at least aportion of the clearance space to prevent movement of the actuator, thepremature discharge of the contents is prevented in a simple,economical, and expeditious manner.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel areset forth with particularity in the appended claims. The inventionitself, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may bestbe understood by reference to the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures ofwhich like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of a conventional aerosol can, with thetop partly broken away to facilitate explanation of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a partial perspective view similar to the arrangement ofFIGURE 1 with the actuator removed;

FIGURE 3 is a side View, partly in section, of a preferred embodiment ofthe invention;

FIGURES 4 and 5 are perspective and sectional views, respectively,illustrating another embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective illustration of still another embodiment ofthe invention; and

FIGURE 7 is a partial perspective View, similar to FIGURE 2, depictinganother conventional construction.

As shown in FIGURE l, a conventional aerosol dispenser or can 10includes a main body portion 11 and a removable top or upper portion 12,a part of which has been broken away to illustrate the upper bodyportion of the can. As shown in FIGURES l and 2, the upper portion 13 ofthe can body is dome-shaped, and this upper part of the can is sealed bya closure member 14, which includes an outer rolled-over element orcollar 15 sized for mating engagement with the lip or upper portion ofthe can body (see FIGURES 3 and 5). A channel 19 is provided in theinner wall of collar 15. The closure member further comprises a centraldepressed area 16, and a boss or bent-up portion 17 is provided at thecenter of the closure member, with an aperture 18 at the center of theboss.

An actuator member 20 is provided for the unit, which includes anorifice 21 through which the aerosol suspension emerges. Although notVisible in the drawing, the orifice 21 is connected interiorly ofactuator 20 through a channel which extends through stem 22, which isinserted in aperture 18 of boss 1'7, into the interior of the aerosolcan. Assuming the valve construction is of one conventional .type whichcompletes the discharge channel responsive to vertical displacement ofthe actuator, as the stern is depressed by displacing actuator 20downwardly, the propellant and Concentrate are vented through thedischarge channel. It is noted that a clearance space 23 is normallydefined adjacent stem 22 between the lower Surface of actuator and theupper surface of boss 17, and the actuator is displaced downwardlythrough this clearance space as stem 22 is inserted into the caninterior to complete the discharge channel for the contents. In certainof the appended claims, actuator refers to a composite unit includingboth an actuator button and the stem to which the button is attached.

In accordance with the inventive teaching, and as particularlyillustrated in FIGURE 3, a spacer means 25 is provided to block at leasta portion of the clearance space adjacent the stem between actuator 20and boss 17, and thus prevent a given displacement of the actuator whichis required to discharge the contents. The spacer means can be a simplewasher-type element, as indicated in section in FIGURE 3. The simplicityof such an element and its consequent economic advantage is apparent.The Washer may be a solid unit, or it can be cut or of the C-washer typeto permit simple removal of the washer when it is desired to depress theactuator and dispense the contents of the can. It is a simple matter toremove the actuator and stem as shown in FIGURE 2 and removed the washeror spacer means, and then reinsert the stem and actuator to permitnormal operation of the aerosol dispenser.

In another construction, as shown in FIGURE 7, a stem is attached to andextends from the body portion of the can, and the actuator is inserteddownwardly over the stem. In such an arrangement the actuator is simplyremoved from the stem and the spacer means is removed, and then theactuator is reinserted on the stem to provide for normal operation.

The novel spacer means may be incorporated as a portion of a decorativeunit, as illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5. As there shown, the dome-shapeddecorative unit 26 comprises a lower annular base 27 sized for matingengagement with channel 19 within closure member 14, a lower portion 2%and an upper portion 29 separated by a tear strip 30, and the upperportion 29 defines an aperture 31 therein to permit the stern to passtherethrough. The unit 26 can be simply fabricated of an opaque plasticmaterial and colored the same as the main body portion of the can, thusto provide a pleasing appearance of the entire unit. When positioned asshown in FIGURE 5, the upper portion 29 of the unit prevents thedownward displacement of actuator 20 sufficiently to cause any dischargeof the contents from the can. However, when tear strip 30 is pulled toseparate upper portion 29 from the remainder of unit 26, actuator 20 canbe removed to permit removal of the spacer element or portion 29 aspreviously explained in connection with FIGURE 3. Thus the inventioncontributes to the decor of the complete assembly without the loss ofany of its utility.

The novel spacer means 26 also finds utility in pressurized dispensershaving a valve construction which operates to complete the dischargechannel as the actuator is displaced transversely of the sterndirection, rather than being displaced in the same direction as thestem. Such transversely-displaced actuators are frequently used with thevalve mechanisms employed in dispensers for shaving lather, etc. Becausespacer means 26 restrains actuator movement in two directions,preventing both vertical and horizontal displacement of the actuatorrelative to the top of the dispenser, spacer 26 can be used to safeguarddispensers employing different valve constructions.

For those constructions in which the stem is affixed to the can body andonly the actuator 20 is removable, as shown in FIGURE 7, an actuatorassembly 32 can be formed with a removable spacer element 33 asillustrated in FIGURE 6. That is, the composite actuator-andspacerassembly 32 can be fabricated and weakened along the junction betweenactuator portion 20 and spacer portion 33, so that a simple rotation ofthe spacer element relative to the actuator portion will separate thespacer from the actuator and permit the return of actuator 20 to thestem for normal operation of the aerosol dispenser.

Each of the illustrated embodiments is simple and economical tomanufacture and can readily be incorporated with existing pressurizeddispensers, including aerosol cans. The invention fulfills a definiteneed in this art, considered both from the standpoint of economy inmanufacturing Iand inserting the preventive means, and the eiiiciency ofproviding the safety structure in a position to prevent displacement ofthe actuator, rather than attempting to prevent access to the actuator.

While only particular embodiments of the-invention have been shown anddescribed, it is evident that modifications and alterations may be madetherein, and it is intended in the appended claims to cover all suchmodifications and alterations as may fall within the true spirit andscope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. For use with a pressurized dispenser having a body portion enclosingthe dispensers contents, a top closure member affixed to said bodyportion and defining an annular channel therein, and an actuatorextending from said top closure member through a clearace space, saidactuator including a first portion of given diameter, said first portionhaving a smooth cylindrical outer surface along its entire extent, and asecond portion of a diameter larger than said given diameter, a givenmovement of said actuator being effective to complete a dischargechannel for the contents, the improvement which comprises: spacer meanscomprising a lower portion disposed for mating engagement with saidannular channel in the top closure member, and a separable upper portionconnected to said lower portion and defining an aperture for said firstportion at the actuator therein, said upper portion normally restrainingsaid actuator against said given movement and only permitting said givenmovement of the actuator responsive to separation of the upper and lowerportions of said spacer means.

2. For use with a pressurized dispenser having a body portion enclosingthe dispensers contents, a stem extending from said body portion througha clearance space, said stem having a smooth cylindrical outer surfacealong its entire extent, and an actuator affixed to said stern, a givenmovement of said actuator and stem being effective to complete adischarge channel for the contents, the improvement which comprises:dome-shaped spacer means comprising a lower portion disposed for matingengagement with said body portion, a tear strip affixed to said lowerportion, and an upper portion affixed to said tear strip and defining anaperture for said stem therein, said upper portion restraining saidactuator and stem against movement in two directions and only permittingsaid given movement of the actuator and stem responsive to separation ofthe upper and lower portions of said spacer means by removal of saidtear strip.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,610,940 Endicott Sept. 16, 1952 2,686,652 Carlson et al. Aug. 17, 19542,703,665 Soffer et al. Mar. 8, 1955 2,706,660 Johnson et al Apr. 19,1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 298,729 Switzerland July 16, 1954

1. FOR USE WITH A PRESSURIZED DISPENSER HAVING A BODY PORTION ENCLOSINGTHE DISPENSER''S CONTENTS, A TOP CLOSURE MEMBER AFFIXED TO SAID BODYPORTION AND DEFINING AN ANNULAR CHANNEL THEREIN, AND AN ACTUATOREXTENDING FROM SAID TOP CLOSURE MEMBER THROUGH A CLEARANCE SPACE, SAIDACTUATOR INCLUDING A FIRST PORTION OF GIVEN DIAMETER, SAID FIRST PORTIONHAVING A SMOOTH CYLINDRICAL OUTER SURFACE ALONG ITS ENTIRE EXTENT, AND ASECOND PORTION OF A DIAMETER LARGER THAN SAID GIVEN DIAMETER, A GIVENMOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATOR BEING EFFECTIVE TO COMPLETE A DISCHARGECHANNEL FOR THE CONTENTS, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES: SPACER MEANSCOMPRISING A LOWER PORTION DISPOSED FOR MATING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAIDANNULAR CHANNEL IN THE TOP CLOSURE MEMBER, AND A SEPARABLE UPPER PORTIONCONNECTED TO SAID LOWER PORTION AND DEFINING AN APERTURE FOR SAID FIRSTPORTION AT THE ACTUATOR THEREIN, SAID UPPER PORTION NORMALLY RESTRAININGSAID ACTUATOR AGAINST SAID GIVEN MOVEMENT AND ONLY PERMITTING SAID GIVENMOVEMENT OF THE ACTUATOR RESPONSIVE TO SEPARATION OF THE UPPER AND LOWERPORTIONS OF SAID SPACER MEANS.